In the very midst of focused preparation for college entrance testing (ACT and SAT), it’s rather easy for student (and anxious parent) to lose sight of a bigger picture.

We have in mind the benefits that accrue from guided, methodical practice for the big tests. What are these benefits? They’re wrapped up in our three-word title. First, effective test prep produces an effective, active reader. That’s a student who’s engaged in such a way as to maximize retention.

One natural outcome of active reading is stimulation of thought – of thoughtfulness and connection making, two essential components of learning. In the stressful environment of testing, there’s hardly anything more important than the ability to weigh, measure, and consider cause and effect of ideas. Think.

We’re seeing the back-to-school ads already, and we are barely into July! Summer is well underway, so it’s time for you college-bound students to seal the deal and set your sights on next steps. Here are ten that we recommend:

The backdrop for summer vacation life is, for most students, missing one overwhelming element: school. Lots has been written and spoken about the pro’s and con’s of boxing away academic discipline in favor of “the beach” (an all-encompassing metaphor for the two and half straight months enjoyed outside any classroom).

In an attempt to reward some of the top Florida high school students and to help retain those students for college, the Florida State Senate recently passed the "Excellence in Higher Education Act". The bill is currently working its way through the Florida State House of Representatives. If passed, it would substantially increase "Bright Futures Scholarship" awards to Florida college students.

With each new round in musical chairs, one chair disappears, leaving one too few for the remaining contestants, one of whom will be eliminated. The “admissions game” at highly selective colleges shares some characteristics with musical chairs: At the beginning of each new round – in this case, each new application season – two chairs might be added, but so are 20 new contestants. That means a lot more somebodies will end up with no place to sit in the lecture halls, no place to sleep in the residence halls – no chance for admission.

In view of the redesigned SAT, I have altered the advice I typically give students about their junior-year testing calendar

Redesigned SAT:

This test will be administered for the first time in March, 2016. March and May tend to be the two most popular times for juniors to take their first SAT. While College Board has released only four full-length tests to use in preparation for the new test, Khan Academy has myriad practice questions on its website. To create a Khan Academy account, click here). In addition, Score At The Top has been hard at work creating new test prep strategies and materials to help you prepare for the new test.

Some colleges, such as Columbia and Brown, require the ACT essay for the class of 2016, but won’t be requiring the SAT or ACT essay for the class of 2017. The rationale seems to be consistency: because the current SAT includes a required essay, some colleges require the optional ACT essay. Because the SAT essay will be optional starting in March, some colleges are already revising their SAT/ACT essay requirements for the class of 2017.

Over the past decade, we have heard strange rumblings from the college haunted house on the hill. That’s the building that contains all the schools who have opted out of requiring the sacred admissions test scores (ACT and SAT) as part the application process. Who’s up there? There are over 800 of them ― predominantly smaller schools, institutions outside the mainstream of “brand name” colleges and universities that most people know about. But there are a few on the hill whose names are on people’s lips, and to that group we can now add George Washington University in our nation’s capital. Surely one of the best known universities to join the movement against admissions tests, GW announced that it will no longer require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores.

Parents often ask us what kind of “return” their students will get for the hours and dollars spent in our test-prep workshops and private tutoring. While every child’s test prep experience is unique, we know that our test-prep work leads students to score at the top of their potential. We’d like to share a concrete example.

Ready to move to the front of the class?

Let's discuss a custom learning strategy that will get you or your student on a path to success.

Score At The Top comprises several family-owned, full-service learning centers and schools throughout Palm Beach and Broward Counties. For over 30 years, we have provided an integrated array of academic support and guidance services to students of all ages.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Stay up-to-date on the latest developments in college entrance requirements and test prep through our free email newsletter.